"Since its emergence as a major spectator sport in the 1920’s, golf has provided lifelong recreational and job opportunities and enjoyment for millions. In 2012, the Bay State golf industry supported nearly 25,500 jobs with $796.8 million of wage income."

This latest report shows that the golf industry’s gross economic output of $2.7 billion is comparable to other significant Massachusetts industries, namely fitness and recreational sports centers ($1.5 billion), semiconductor manufacturing ($1.7 billion) and medical equipment manufacturing ($3.5 billion). It also showed that Bay State golf facilities generated revenues comparable to all other spectator sports in the state combined - football, baseball, basketball, hockey and soccer.

The total impact of the golf industry on the state economy stems from both the employment and direct expenditures on goods and services by golf facilities and golf-related companies in the state. It also comes from the economic activity in tourism, real estate, and other industries supported by the game of golf. When these linkages and impacts on other sectors of the economy are included, the $1.7 billion Massachusetts golf industry supports:

· 25,500 direct and indirect jobs for its citizens · $796.8 million of total wage income · $2.7 billion of total economic output · $366.7 million for hospitality and tourism

A National Perspective:Since its emergence as a major spectator sport in the 1920’s, golf has provided lifelong recreational opportunities and enjoyment for millions. Golf is also a major U.S. industry generating jobs, commerce, economic development and tax revenues for local communities. - See more at: http://www.wearegolf.org/economy/impact/#sthash.kjeUFdjj.dpufSince its emergence as a major spectator sport in the 1920’s, golf has provided lifelong recreational opportunities and enjoyment for millions. Golf is also a major U.S. industry generating jobs, commerce, economic development and tax revenues for local communities.

$176.8 Billion – Total economic impact of golf in America, including direct, indirect and induced impacts.

$68.8 Billion – Total size of the golf economy nationally.

$55.6 Billion – Total wage income from about two million U.S. jobs.

15,000 – Approximate number of U.S. golf facilities, with more than 10,000 open to the public.

$20.6 Billion – Total travel expenditures produced by the golf industry.

$5.6 Billion – Total amount spent on golf supplies.

$523 Million – Total spent on golf-related media including books, magazines, DVDs, etc.

$26 – Median green fee in the U.S. Eight out of 10 golfers play public golf.

Special thanks to Golf 20/20 for its pioneering role in developing state economic impact studies for the golf industry. Golf 20/20 is a collaborative effort of many forces within the golf industry, from the associations and manufacturers to the course owners/operators and the media, focused on the game and its future.